Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Max Jean-Gilles will be the right guard this week, as the team regroups after the season-ending knee injury to center Jamaal Jackson. Previous right guard Nick Cole will step in for Jackson. Apparently, Stacy Andrews has done nothing in practice to make the coaches think he would be a better option than Jean-Gilles.

Quintin Demps will practice today despite a "lingering ankle sprain," Reid said. Demps said he expects to be able to play this week

Jamaal Jackson will undergo surgery Tuesday in Alabama by Dr. James Andrews.

Reid on playing the Cowboys in such a big game: "This is why you coach and this is why you play this game, situations like this."

Donovan McNabb said he was surprised to be a first alternate for the Pro Bowl, given that he missed two games.

"I just didn't see that happening," McNabb said.

Reid reiterated that Sheldon Brown, named a second alternate, "has had a Pro Bowl year."

He said Michael Vick, still suffering from a bruised quad, is hoping to be able to practice today, at least on a limited basis.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips called Jackson "an outstanding player," but he said he felt Cole did well last week against the Broncos last week after Jackson went down in the first quarter.

Published: December 30, 2009 — 12:04 PM EST

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